Home Instead

The Importance of Staying Hydrated

Welcome to the latest edition of our monthly advisory column with the older members of our community in mind, brought to you by Annie Dixon-Dunn of Home Instead Redditch & Bromsgrove.

Older people are vulnerable to dehydration due to physiological changes in the ageing process, but this can be complicated by illness, medication, and mental or physical frailty. As we begin to head into the warmer months it is important to remain hydrated.

Thirst is the bodies way of balancing hydration levels but as we age our sensation reduces and with it our ability to rely on it as an indicator. This can be exaggerated in people with dementia or those who have had a stroke.

Let’s take a look a look at the positive health benefits and some simple tips to increase fluid intake.

Why? - On average you can last 10 times longer without food than without water (30-40 days without food, 3-4 days without water). We need it for: regulating body temperature, keeping joints lubricated, prevent/reduce infections, improve organ function (in particular kidney’s), deliver nutrients to cells. Being wellhydrated also improves sleep, cognition, and mood.

Signs of dehydration - Feeling thirsty, dark yellow or strong smelling urine, dizziness, headache, reduced concentration, lethargy, dry skin or eyes, urinating fewer than 4 times per day.

Tips to help hydration:

Ensure drinks are readily available. For people with reduced mobility, place drinks within easy reach, and for people with dexterity or swallowing problems use straws, bottles, beakers with lids or whatever works well for that person.

Eat more foods with a high water content like fruits, vegetables, soups, yoghurts, ice creams. It doesn’t have to be plain water! Drink fruit juice, smoothies, tea, flavoured tea or coffee. Also change the temperature to suit, there’s nothing wrong with a hot Vimto!

Try to avoid high sugar drinks and also alcohol as this is a diuretic and will increase urine output and dehydration.

Water or Urinary Tract Infections (UTI’s) are common in older people and although caused by a bacterial infection rather than dehydration, increased fluid intake helps to dilute the bacteria by flushing the system. UTI’s can take hold very quickly, cause severe confusion and lead to hospital admission or further complications if left untreated.

For more information about Home Instead or if you have a suggestion for a future topic, please write to me at annie. dixon-dunn@homeinstead.co.uk. Alternatively, you can also call me on 01564 741620

Home Instead because home care is the best care

Providing high-quality, companionship-based, relationship-led care to the local community as they age.  We provide support and encouragement to enable you to maintain independence in your own home.  We always stay for at least one hour, or longer to suit your needs  We match you to local, friendly CAREGivers who you will see on a regular basis and build lasting relationships.  A dedicated and supportive office based team, who will be there every step of the way with you on your care journey.  Every CAREGiver is hand selected for their caring nature, DBS checked and PPE trained.

Dementia Care Home Help Personal Care Companionship We’re here to help find the right care for you and your loved ones. To find out more call us on 01527 810 855 Visit www.homeinstead.co.uk/rb